Sunday Words of Encouragement April 3, 2022

Hubby was up and down all night. When it was time to get ready for church he was sound asleep so I let him sleep. We had a good Sunday School lesson/discussion on Revelation 13.

In church we enjoyed worship then shared communion before the sermon.
Pastor finished the series on What Have You Lost? based on Luke 14:25-35.
Week one a guest preacher covered the six components of the cost of discipleship. The next week Pastor covered “Have You Lost Your Mission?” Last week covered “Have You Lost Your Means?”

Luke 15: tells three stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. We have a part in God's mission. It is important that everyone comes to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Today we covered the third story. Luke 15:11-32 about the prodigal son – and the father who rejoiced when his son returned, when the lost son was found.

When the younger son came to his father to ask for his inheritance, we know that the eldest son got a double portion. But the father gave the younger son his portion which the boy took and left home. The younger son couldn't do the things he wanted to do under his father's watchful eye. The son lost sight of the value of his father’s lessons. When the son left, there was no contact (no phone calls, emails… not even a verbal message). Under the culture of the time, the son was lost. He was considered dead.

The son experienced separation. Nothing satisfied. Then came famine; no one gave him anything. He began to be “in want”. Luke 15:16.

God is the solution to all problems. Psalm 23:1 tells us “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

The story tells us about the father's motivation. Although the son was ‘lost’ the Father didn't give up hope just like God doesn't give up on us. The father had compassion. Luke 15:16. Have we lost our motivation?

As Christ followers we have to go, we have to give, we have to gaze. We have to expect that God is waiting for lost souls to return to a right relationship.

Love never gives up. 1 Corinthians 13:4.

Have we lost our motivation? Don't believe the lies of the world. Don’t believe that the lost will never change. 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” Love never fails.

The father called for his son to be given a robe, ring and shoes. These items are a mark of a free man. When the lost soul repents, God sets the soul free.

We must not grow weary. Galatians 6:9. We must go (mission), give (means) and gaze (with the motivation of love). We can celebrate each found soul. Luke 15:24.

I chose this video for today: Everyone Needs Compassion:

Verses for Today:
Luke 15:14-32 NIV
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

I pray Lord that you increase my compassion for lost souls!